The FP&A Guy Network

FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading ToolsFP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcaseIn this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Gabrielle Dolan, a global expert in strategic storytelling, about the power of storytelling in business and how it can transform communication. Gabrielle shares her journey from senior leadership at the National Australia Bank to becoming a bestselling author and storytelling expert. She discusses how storytelling helps finance professionals influence decisions, engage teams, and communicate complex messages effectively.Gabrielle Dolan is a global expert in strategic storytelling and communication, having worked with leaders from companies like Amazon, EY, Uber, and the Obama Foundation. With over 20 years of experience in leadership roles and storytelling, Gabrielle is the bestselling author of eight books, including her latest Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI. She is also the co-host of the podcast Keeping It Real with Jack and Ral, which ranks in Spotify's top 3% most shared podcasts. Expect to Learn:Why storytelling is essential for influencing decisions in finance and business.The impact of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership communication.How AI can enhance storytelling without losing its human touch.Practical tips for finance professionals on how to use stories in presentations.Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“Storytelling is not about manipulation, it’s about authentic communication.” – Gabrielle Dolan“AI can be your creative partner, but don’t lose your voice when telling your story.” – Gabrielle DolanGabrielle Dolan shared her invaluable insights on the power of storytelling in business, especially for finance professionals. She highlighted how storytelling is a vital tool for influencing decisions, building connections, and making complex messages more memorable. Gabrielle emphasized the importance of authenticity in storytelling and explained how AI can enhance the storytelling process without losing the human connection Follow Gabrielle:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/ Podcast Link - https://podfollow.com/keeping-it-real-with-jac-and-ral YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@KeepingItRealwithJacandRal Earn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In Today’s Episode[00:00] – Trailer[03:18] – Gabrielle's Leadership to Storytelling Journey[06:00] – Challenges in Transitioning to Storytelling[10:00] – Storytelling's Role in Business Decisions[13:37] – Why Data Alone Won't Drive Action[17:44] – Finding the Right Story for Your Message[22:10] – Storytelling and Data in Finance[30:14] – The Power of Story Intelligence in Leadership[35:09] – AI's Role in Enhancing Storytelling[40:15] – Rapid Fire Questions[43:00] – Conclusion & Key Takeaways

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss OneStream's recent acquisition by Hg Capital and the exciting changes it brings to the company’s approach to finance technology. Scott shares how OneStream’s focus on a unified platform is reshaping the finance space, and how integrating smart technology into financial workflows is making a real difference for businesses today.Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, where he leads OneStream’s growth and innovation. With a background in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and working at Huron Consulting Group, Scott has a wealth of experience in driving major tech transformations. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after helping the company achieve impressive growth. In this episode, you will discover:What OneStream's acquisition by Hg Capital means for its futureThe benefits of using a unified platform in financeHow automation is improving financial processesThe evolving role of automation in financial planning and decision-makingHow OneStream’s tools are helping businesses become more agile and efficientScott Leshinski highlights the exciting future of finance, where unified platforms and automation are transforming how businesses manage financial workflows. He emphasizes the growing role of technology in making finance processes more efficient and discusses how OneStream is helping companies become more agile. Follow Scott:Website: https://www.onestream.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[00:00] – Intro[03:00] – OneStream's Acquisition Impact[05:00] – Transition from Public to Private[06:00] – Scott's Career Path[10:00] – What OneStream Does[14:00] – The Power of Unified Platforms[18:00] – Automation in Financial Planning[19:00] – The Rise of Automation[26:00] – Building Trust in Automation[29:00] – Improving Forecast Accuracy[35:00] – The Future of Finance[50:00] – Fun Questions with Scott[55:00] – Closing Thoughts

Paul Barnhurst speaks with Matan Feldman, Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep. Matan shares insights from his career in investment banking and financial modeling, discussing the future of AI in the industry, its impact on investment banking roles, and how it will reshape financial modeling education. He also reflects on his journey founding Wall Street Prep and the lessons he's learned along the way.Matan Feldman is the Founder and CEO of Wall Street Prep, where he leads business development, course creation, and training programs for clients such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, The Wharton School, and many others. Before founding Wall Street Prep, Matan worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and J.P.Morgan in investment banking and equity research.Expect to LearnHow AI is transforming financial modeling and investment banking workflows.The evolving role of financial modelers in an AI-driven world.How AI accelerates repetitive tasks, enabling analysts to focus on higher-level judgment.Why foundational financial modeling skills remain crucial despite AI advancements. Here are a few quotes from the episode:"A model can either be the most powerful tool or the most frustrating one." – Matan Feldman"Judgment and interpretation will always remain important." – Matan FeldmanMatan Feldman shared valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in financial modeling and investment banking. He emphasized the growing importance of business judgment and foundational skills as AI tools continue to reshape the industry. Matan's journey from investment banking to founding Wall Street Prep highlights the ongoing need for both technical expertise and strategic thinking in financial modeling Follow Matan:Website: https://www.wallstreetprep.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matanfeldman/Follow Financial Modeler's Corner: LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and receive 15% off by using the special show code ‘Podcast”Visit https://bit.ly/497oAqW and use the code “Podcast” to save 15% when you register. In today’s episode: [00:00] – Introduction[02:27] – Matan’s Modeling Nightmare[05:07] – The Journey of Wall Street Prep[08:21] – AI in Investment Banking[14:06] – The Future of Modeling and Automation[22:16] – Opportunities and Concerns in AI[29:48] – AI’s Role in Teaching Financial Modeling[36:02] – Rapid Fire Questions

FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading ToolsFP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcaseIn this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Michael Gould, a technology entrepreneur and founder of Kaleidoscope, about his extensive experience in financial planning and modelling. Michael shares insights from his 40+ years in the industry, including his work with Anaplan, and discusses how modern finance teams can break free from the limitations of spreadsheets and legacy systems.Michael Gould is a technology entrepreneur and software engineer with over 40 years of experience in financial planning and modeling systems. After studying Mathematics and Computation at the University of Oxford, Michael co-created Adaytum, a leading business planning platform, and later founded Anaplan, a globally successful enterprise planning platform that became a British tech unicorn. Today, he is the founder of Kaleidoscope, focusing on rethinking financial modeling for modern teams and continuing to pioneer innovations that drive better decision-making in business. .Expect to Learn:The challenges and complexities of modern financial modellingHow Kaleidoscope is helping businesses move beyond spreadsheetsMichael's journey from IBM to Anaplan and now KaleidoscopeThe importance of understanding business processes in financial modellingHow AI is impacting the financial modeling landscapeHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“The key to financial modeling is representing the complexity of a business without over-simplifying it.” – Michael Gould“AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the data context that drives the real value.” – Michael GouldGlenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.Follow Michael:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/migould/Website: https://www.kaleidoscope.com/?utm_source=partner_fpandaguys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=interviewEarn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In Today’s Episode[00:00] – Trailer[06:00] – Challenges of Multi-Dimensional Modelling[12:00] – Transitioning to Anaplan[15:00] – Kaleidoscope’s Mission to Help Small Businesses[21:00] – The Role of AI in Financial Modelling[27:00] – The Future of Financial Modelling[33:00] – Key Learnings from the Entrepreneurial Journey[39:00] – How AI is Changing Financial Decision-Making[45:00] – Overcoming the Data Challenges in Finance[51:00] – Final Thoughts on Innovation and Future Trends in Finance[57:00] – Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing the revenue process for finance teams. Ali discusses how the traditional ERP systems have left revenue management behind, and how Tabs is changing the game by automating the full contract-to-cash cycle. He shares his insights on the complexity of revenue management, AI’s role in financial systems, and why understanding the data context is key to success in AI-powered finance tools.Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.In this episode, you will discover:How AI is transforming revenue management in financeThe importance of data context in AI-powered toolsWhy traditional finance systems fail to address modern revenue modelsHow Tabs automates billing, collections, and revenue recognitionAli Hussain shared invaluable insights into the future of finance, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing revenue management and financial operations. While AI brings immense potential for automation, human judgment remains crucial in making strategic decisions. Follow Ali:Website: https://www.tabs.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabsplatform Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[00:00] – Trailer[03:00] – Legacy Finance Systems[06:15] – Revenue Management Gaps[09:00] – How Tabs Transforms Finance[12:00] – AI in Billing & Rev Rec[15:30] – Clean Data Importance[19:00] – AI vs Human Judgment[22:30] – The Future of AI[25:00] – Complex Revenue Models[29:00] – AI Challenges in Finance[34:00] – Closing Thoughts on AI

FP&A & AI Software Showcase: Explore Leading ToolsFP&A leaders are embracing AI, and we’re here to help. On May 21st, I’ll host the FP&A & AI Software Showcase, featuring FP&A planning and AI tools like Concourse, Sapien, Drivetrain, and Una AI. Join us for live demos, insights, and no sales pressure.Register today: www.thefpandaguy.com/fpa-software-showcaseIn this episode of FP&A Unlocked, Paul Barnhurst speaks with Glenn Snyder about the current state of FP&A, focusing on career growth, hiring challenges, and how the role continues to evolve. Glenn shares his perspective on why networking matters more than ever in today’s job market, how professionals can stand out without relying only on certifications, and what it really takes to move up in FP&A. They also discuss the shift toward strategic partnership, the importance of understanding business drivers, and how leadership and empathy shape long-term successExpect to Learn:Why networking is the most effective way to find opportunitiesHow to stand out in a competitive job marketThe shift of FP&A from reporting to strategic partnershipWhy understanding business drivers is critical in FP&AHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:"If you can't figure out how to get other people to move with you, your career is not going to go anywhere." — Glenn Snyder“Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about getting them to follow you.” – Glenn SnyderGlenn explains that career growth in FP&A is no longer about following a fixed path or relying on credentials. It comes from building relationships, gaining real experience, and understanding how the business works. He also highlights that strong professionals go beyond numbers by connecting financial results to real business drivers and supporting better decisions.Follow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/Website: https://www.riveron.comEarn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In Today’s Episode[02:29] – FP&A Education Gap[06:34] – Certifications vs Experience[09:56] – Networking for Jobs[11:22] – Building Personal Brand[12:16] – Volunteering & Experience[17:45] – FP&A as Strategic Partner[22:19] – Finance & Business Roles[24:03] – Empathy in Leadership[29:46] – Career Growth Strategy[33:14] – Leadership vs Execution[38:12] – Drivers & Scenario Planning[44:50] – People Management Lessons[52:44] – Ethics & Transparency

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk with David Ingraham, founder and CEO of HyperPerfect. David explains why AI works best in finance when it is used step by step, with clear context and human review. He also shares why Excel is still central to finance work and how better AI tools can help teams move faster without losing control.David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually.In this episode, you will discover:Why finance teams are still slow to adopt AIWhy context matters when using AI in ExcelWhy AI should be treated like a teammate, not a shortcutHow breaking work into smaller steps leads to better resultsWhere AI helps most in finance todayDavid Ingraham is the founder and CEO of HyperPerfect, a company that brings AI tools into Excel. He spent nearly 20 years in private equity and has worked on deals worth more than $1 billion. He also serves as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to students.Follow David:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingraham/Website: https://www.hyperperfect.comFollow Glenn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiiiFollow Paul:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyFollow QFlow.AI:Website - https://bit.ly/4i1EkjgFuture Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.In Today’s Episode:[00:22] - David’s background[02:49] - What HyperPerfect does[06:01] - Why finance struggles with AI[07:36] - Why context matters[12:23] - What AI agents are good at today[13:08] - Using AI as a partner[17:51] - Building models step by step[19:20] - Productivity gains and closing thoughts

In this episode of The Mod Squad, Paul Barnhurst, Ian Schnoor, and Giles Male share their real experiences using AI in financial modelling. They cut through the hype and discuss what AI actually does well, where it still struggles, and how professionals should be thinking about using it today. From building models to handling workflows, the conversation highlights both the value and the limitations of AI tools in real work. Expect to LearnWhere AI actually helps in finance and modelling workWhy most “one-click solution” claims are unrealisticThe importance of checking and guiding AI outputsHow instructions and structure improve AI resultsHere are a few quotes from the episode:“It’s not a one-click solution. You still have to check everything.” – Giles Male“You will have to understand every line to guide AI properly.” – Ian SchnoorAI is powerful, but it’s not a shortcut to good work. It still needs guidance, structure, and strong fundamentals. The people who benefit most will be the ones who understand both the tools and the work behind them. For now, the best approach is simple: use it, test it, and don’t trust it blindly. Follow Ian:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianschnoor/Follow Giles:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giles-male-30643b15/In today’s episode: [02:06] – Current thoughts on AI after recent progress[03:45] – Daily use of AI and time savings[05:00] – Mental fatigue and keeping up with AI changes[08:03] – Calling out AI hype and unrealistic claims[12:30] – AI training challenges and business demand[17:57] – “Eye of the storm” phase of AI development[24:13] – Testing AI-built financial models[30:52] – Why fixing AI models can take longer than building from scratch[35:15] – Responsibility to challenge misleading AI claims[38:41] – Using instructions to improve AI output[42:59] – Final thoughts on AI, stress, and the future